A Weekend Well Spent

As a working mom, I always value my quality time with my kids, especially during weekend.

Last weekend, we spent the Friday morning by having breakfast picnic at the park near Masjid Terapung with our friends. We (bought) packed our breakfast and went there at 9.00am. The kids were all excited as they had an outdoor breakfast and they played together; I brought along some of their toys and books and there was a playground near the park. Our friends brought along their portable folding picnic table and chair to the park and we brought along our picnic tablecloth. Perfect morning weekend for us!

Some of the photos taken at our breakfast picnic day :

Outdoor breakfast under the tree; the nature way at its best.

The beautiful Masjid Terapung at the back.

One for the camera! I love this photo so much! Happiness.

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On Saturday, I opened up my art and craft big box and had an outdoor art and craft activities with my lil darlings. I let them chose on the art theme and concept based on their creativity, helped them here and there and we managed to finish the activity together. We had fun making some paper arts, ice cream sticks, drawing and sticker art.

Some of the photos taken during our outdoor art and craft activities :

I love this photo : Khayra was not ready for the camera and Hafiya’s proud reaction (laughing) towards her Kakak’s art. Teehee ;P

 Alhamdulillah for another weekend well spent.

Wordless Wednesday : My Girls #OOTD

Lil Darlings : Bekal

Some of the homemade bekal / breakfast for my lil darlings :)

Khayra is required to bring bekal everyday to school, so I think this is one of my biggest achievements in 2014, as a working mother. Heheheh.

Each Other's Back

Hafiya takut kucing. Sebab dia ada pengalaman kucing besar gi landing tepi dia dan dia terkejut sangat sampai meraung.

Semalam, masa tengah lunch kat kedai Raja Baung (kami order asam pedas dan ayam goreng by the way, so not the baung fan. Hahah), ada kucing datang near to our table. Hafiya dah buat muka cuak dalam baby chair dia. Hehe. Then kucing tu melintas kat bawah baby chair Hafiya, dengan muka cuak dan nak nangis dia cakap kat abah dia :

“Abah amik, abah amik, abah amik cat!” (separa menjerit)

Kakak Khayra tolong calming down her little sister. : “It’s OK, Adik. Cat, please go away.”

Abah dia buat cool je dan kami menahan ketawa. Ahahahaha.

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Malam tadi during bedtime – when Kakak Khayra nangis sebab tanak masuk bilik lagi. Kami cakap kena tidur awal sikit since tomorrow (today : 11.01.2015) will be her first day of school lepas cuti tahunan sekolah lama. Both of them were on their respective cots, lampu dipadamkan and while Kakak Khayra were still sobbing:

Hafiya : Kakak sleep. Kakak sleep. Shhh, Kakak sleep. (nada pujuk then peluk Kakak sampai tertidur).

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Hafiya koyakkan kotak colour pencils Kakak Khayra. She was so curious what’s inside the box sebab normally kami bagi crayon or colour pencils yang dalam box lutsinar yang twistable tu.

Abah : Siapa buat ni? (marah) Who did this?

Hafiya : (cebik) Sowi abah. (nangis) (Went to Kakak Khayra. Peluk Kakak sambil nangis).

Ibu : Hafiya kena cakap apa to Kakak?

Hafiya : (nangis) Sowi Kakak. Sambil peluk Kakak.

Abah : Nak buat lagi tak?

Hafiya : (nangis) No-no-no. (sambil geleng kepala dan nangis)

Kakak pujuk sampai Hafiya stop nangis dan ambilkan tisu lap air mata Hafiya.

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We do hope that you will have each other’s back sampai bila-bila.

We love you both nevertheless.

Alter Ego

Khayra and Hafiya both have their alter ego(s) *note the plural* hehehe. We first found them out when we were in Sydney, when Khayra was 4 years old and Hafiya at that time was only 6 months old. They hardly throwing tantrum (syukur pada-Mu Ya Allah), but kids are just being kids; they do have their cranky moods once in a while so in order to justify their crankiness, we give name to each of their alter ego when it takes place (this is Abah's idea, kids! Ahahaha).

1. The Hungry Jack

The name was given when we were back from Circular Quay and Khayra was a bit cranky. We just noticed that we didn’t have our lunch yet as our last meal was pancakes at Pancakes at The Rocks. So at Circular Quay when she was a bit cranky, we passed through the Hungry Jack restaurant to go back to our hotel as we planned to have lunch at Kasturi Café. After having our lunch, Khayra was back to her normal self. Bahahaha.

Another same situation occurred when we were at the Queen Victoria Building (QVB). You could see the difference when we took a picture before we entered QVB (before having our lunch inside the QVB) where Khayra was all moody and didn’t smile for the camera. But right after having our lunch at Laksa House, before we left QVB, we took another picture and she was all in her happy mood.

Hence, the name : The Hungry Jack. Hehehe.

2. The Sleepy John

This situation occurs when they have passed their nap time or do not sleep at all during day time; depending on their activities. Somehow this refers a lot to Hafiya as she will be cranky if she does not sleep during day time with us on weekend especially, as she has her daily routine of having a nap time at school.

So we will alert if she is cranky and does not having her nap time between 12 noon to 2pm, that’s The Sleeping John in her, not Hafiya herself. Hahahaha.

3. Mr. Gopal

We just found out this alter ego in our daughters. Come into sight when we just got back from long holiday / having long weekend and because of the post holiday withdrawal syndrome. Basically the first day to start back our usual routine of waking up in the morning, shower, solat, breakfast, go to school / work, back from school / work, playtime and activities, shower, dinner, bedtime; repeat.

The name derived from the word “guppa” – in Terengganu means mixed feelings (bercampur baur).

We realized this when we just got back from any vacation / long holiday, the girls will have these kind of mixed feelings to face the first day of our daily usual routine and … it goes to the parents as well. Bahahahah!

Whatever it is, we still love you so much, Khayra and Hafiya! *kisses*

Hello 2015!

We just got back from KL last Saturday. Ada banyak event nak ke KL antaranya, husband ada kes kat KL, ada event tahlil dan gathering family MIL, nak jumpa kawan-kawan Srikandi 959, nak makan-makan serta shopping sikit. Tehee.

Original plan: husband pergi KL by car on Monday sebab ada kes on Tuesday and applied leave for 2 days, stayed there until weekend. While kids and I akan ke KL via flight on Wednesday sebab tahlil akan diadakan on Khamis, 1^st January 2015 and kami semua akan balik naik kereta on Saturday since Sunday still cuti di KT (cuti ganti hari Maulud on Saturday).

Tapi sebab jalan LPT semua still tutup sebab banjir, we decided to change the original plan and semua akan naik flight ke KL on different days dan pulang ke KT together. Since I will go there with the kids (our first time without husband on board too with us! *nervous*), I prefer to book flight tickets between MAS or AA (one way to KL) sebab senang nak duduk sama-sama bertiga. Husband will bring our luggage and I will be like berlenggang je pimpin anak-anak nanti (with one stroller of course) and husband will fetch us at the airport. Kami beli Malindo untuk trip balik ke KT sebab dekat sikit dengan Subang airport with rumah SIL.

31.12.2014 : So this is us on the plane – the kids were occupied with colouring books, their Princesses figurines set and other plush toys. I also kept some finger foods and candies with me in case I had to keep them calm. Bahahah. Thank God, they were well behaved throughout the journey and Hafiya slept for a good 30 minutes. 

Books, colouring set, Princesses figurines set – a good combo for them to sit still during one hour flight :P #tips

Gotta frame this – our 1^st flight together without husband on board with us :P

01.01.2015 : We spent half a day at Hazri’s uncle’s house for tahlil and gathering and makan-makan. I ordered some cream puffs from my best friend, Nadia (I have mentioned about her fluffy and delicious cream puffs in my previous BBW entry; please do check them out and order yours from her instagram - @nadiadessert). At night – we went to Masjid Mujahideen for bacaan Yasin and tahlil for arwah Amir Haziq (Hazri’s BIL’s nephew). We left the kids at home with their cousins for 1 1/2 hour and when I came back, Hafiya asyik peluk cium dan tanak lepaskan ibu! Bahahah.

Steamboat Lunch Buffet at Valcano Shabu Shabu

L – R : Izyan, Ayuni, Zana, Moi & Masz

02.02.2015 : Hubby sent me to KL Sentral and I took the ERL Transit to Putrajaya (RM9.50 one way) and Masz fetched me there for lunch session with other Srikandis 959 at Valcano Shabu Shabu. Met Zana, Ayuni and Izyan and enjoyed our steamboat lunch buffet (RM24.20 per pax) together. Seronoknya jumpa ramai-ramai, banyak cerita nak bersembang sampai rasa 3 jam pun tak cukup haritu. Our batch will host a 20 years weekend get together soon in March.  

  

03.02.2015 : Our flight back to KT via Malindo Air. Hafiya dah ada seat sendiri yo! Please don’t grow up so fast lil sweetheart! 

Prayer

Our deepest condolences to the family members of everyone on board #QZ8501 (and also to #MH370 & #MH17). Al Fatihah for all Muslim passengers / crew of the unfortunate flights. We pray that Allah gives the utmost strength to the families of the victims.

To Allah we shall belong and to Him we shall return.

Our prayer also to those flood victims in Pantai Timur. Semoga Allah permudahkan segala urusan.

Innalillahi Waina Hirojiun.

*2014 – a tough year for all Malaysian.

BBW 2014 Second Trip

I love books. I wish I can have a small library at my place so I could arrange all my books there together with a reading space. I love to buy books at a cheaper price and that explains why I love to go to the Big Bad Wolf (BBW) Books Sale. Haha!

My first trip was during its opening day (5^th December, 2014) together with my husband and my lil darlings. They also love books as much as I do. I would rather spend my money on their books rather than on their toys. Hehe. During my 1^st trip we were quite in hurry as we wanted to go back to KT on the same day. When we were on the road trip going back to KT, I told hubby that I’d love to make another trip soon to BBW without the kids so that I will have enough time to buy books. He was so supportive with the idea and asked me to book flight tickets the day after. He even volunteered to have bonding session with our lil darlings so I could have my ‘me-time’ during my solo trip to KL. Fast forward, I haven’t bought the flight tickets when hubby asked me to do so since Sunday morning as I was not sure whether I could do it on my own; I mean - to go to KL alone without my husband and my daughters; leave the kids with husband as he is quite busy during the weekdays with work and classes; the journey to BBW alone, does it worth by leaving my family? and etc. So many questions and answers need to be considered. Haha. Yes, I am that paranoid.

So came Tuesday morning, no plan has been commenced despite hubby told me to do so and the bad news was: the flight ticket fares had increased! *cries* Hubby had to use his persuasive power over me and that morning, I did my online flight tickets booking with hubby on the phone to give details of his credit card as he was the one who wanted to treat his paranoid wife. Haha. After booking had been made, I contacted my primary school friend, Nadia and asked her to join me at the BBW as I wanted to order some cream puffs. She agreed. So yeay! A week before that, Masz (my best friend from secondary school) and I were whatsapp-ing each other and we were planning to see each other when the time permits (we had to cancel a few meet ups in KT, Kuantan, KL etc and considered them as ‘tak ada jodoh’ as our last meeting was during I was pregnant with Khayra i.e 5 years ago).

So when the day has arrived, on Friday, 12^th December, 2014 – I woke up with mixed feelings – excited as I will have my ‘me time’ soon and on the other hand, I was quite nervous. Oh, FYI it was only a day trip to KL but yeah, still caused me to have a nightmare before I proceeded with the bookings. Hewhewhew. I was more than excited before boarding the flight when Masz had confirmed that she will be meeting me at the airport during that day. *star jump*

I reached Subang airport at 9.40am, took a taxi to Mines (costs me RM46 – I just wanted to be there early) and I did gave all information about the taxi’s driver to my hubby; the driver’s name, IC and plate number. Bahaha, such a drama queen this paranoid wife! Hehehe.

The taxi dropped me off at the nearest entrance to the BBW hall and I reached there at 10.30am (about less than half an hour from Subang airport). Felt excited the moment I reached the main hall. Hahahahaha. Met Nadia at 12pm and we went out from Mines to have our lunch in Bangi. Total damage at BBW : RM187.00. Managed to grab a few activity books for the kids (price range between RM3 – RM10), 1000+ sticker set (reduced to RM5 only per box), Chicken Soup for the Soul (price range from RM3 – RM10), a plaque poster to hubby, Disney Junior Playtime Story Pack (Mickey and friend, Doc McStuffins, Jack and Never Land Pirates) & Dora and Friends Story pack (RM16 in which each consists of 8 mini story books), Dora numbers flash cards (RM6), Cinderella / Sleeping Beauty / Rapunzel and Snow White & the Seven Dwarf story books at RM2 each, Kisah Sahabat Nabi (RM2 each), Treasury of Wit & Wisdom (RM8), Barbie Book Stand (RM20), Magnetic Dressing Up Fairies and Princesses (RM8 each) etc. Good bargain yo! 

Book Chair *drool*

My (first) 12-hour solo trip

My #BBWstash

After performing our Zuhur prayer, Nadia dropped me off at Bandar Tasik Selatan (BTS) ERL (cost: RM26) (with her signature cream puffs – so fluffy and delicious : please order yours from her (iG : nadiadessert) and I went straight to KLIA2 to meet Masz at 4pm. Waited for Masz at Toys R Us and managed to do a quick shopping for my lil darlings. Hehe. Met Masz at 4.15pm and we headed to Papparich. It was nice to meet Masz after an overdue meet up plans. So many things to catch up with her. We talked and laughed our hearts out and didn’t bother with people surroundings us. She accompanied me until I board the plane. Hope can see you later again Masz! Thanks for your time that day :)

I managed to performed Maghrib and Isyak prayers before boarding the plane and came home safely to my dearest husband and daughters. The best 12 hours of my ‘me time’ that day.

Thank you, hubby for your permission, your treat and your time with our lil darlings! *kisses*

Two Lil Munchkins

Penyayang sangat Kakak Khayra ni. Sayang (campur geram, of course) Adik Hafiya!

Semoga ikatan kasih sayang Khayra dan Hafiya ini dibawa sehingga ke Syurga. Amin.

Loves;

Ibu dan Abah.

KL Trip and BBW2014

We just got back from KL trip.

Dato’ Boss bagi cuti hari Khamis sebab ada firm trip to Melaka and Nilai, Negeri Sembilan. We didn’t join the trip sebab hubs ada kes kat KL on Thursday, so ambil cuti on Wednesday, terus dapat straight Selasa – Jumaat di KL.

Everywhere is on S-A-L-E in KL (Christmas sale / Year End Sale). I wish money can grow on tree. Teehee. We managed to go to One Utama dan Sogo kejap for a quick shopping, had dinner at Group Base (reminiscing memory masa hubs was staying in Damansara and working at B*NM) and went to Coliseum Cafe at PJ for Mama’s birthday dinner. We went to Big Bad Wolf (BBW) book sale (#bbw2014) during its opening day and went crazehhh over there. Managed to meet Zmah and family at BBW as we planned to meet for a while kat BBW untuk shopping books together sebab tak sempat nak lepak as this time was a short trip to KL (too bad Linda could not join us sebab ada wedding kat Kedah). Orang cakap, jumpa melepas rindu. Ececece.

Started our journey back to KT at 4.30pm after Asar prayer, made a pit stop at Mesra Mall as Khayra wanted to watch either Big Hero 6 or Penguins of Madagascar as we didn’t manage to catch a movie in KL for this trip. We settled for Penguins of Madagascar sebab sampai lewat sikit from show time of Big Hero 6. Then teruskan perjalanan ke KT. Sampai KT I did the unpacking things, laundry etc and sleep at 3am. Fuhh. Nasib baik the next day still cuti. 

So these are our catch at BBW. Cheap books are rocks! Murah sangat, even yang Dora collection tu pun murah (just RM3) dari previous years (been collecting them for Khayra and Hafiya – previous years they sold them at RM5). Found the Ready-To-Read Dora books collection (Level 1 / 6 pieces per pack) last 2 years but this year they sell it on loose (RM6 per piece) so kena mencari juga to cukupkan all the titles. I personally think the Ready-To-Read Dora series book is good for her age and kids would enjoy reading them. I’ve never come across these series kat kedai buku, so it is a good investment sebab Hafiya pun suka Dora just like her big sister. Hehe. Buku Kisah para Nabi tu pun murah, RM2 per piece / title. Syoklah kami borong.

I hope BBW boleh buat kat KT juga macam kat the other states yang diorang jelajah. Please Wolf, come over to KT, pretty please! :)